Mohammed Shami back in consideration for T20 World Cup squad. Find why?

Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India experienced pacer Mohammed Shami is suddenly in contention for a place in Indian T20 squad because of the injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel. According to a report in Inside Sport, the fast bowler from Moradabad is likely to be included in the Indian side for the upcoming home series against Australia and South Africa.

But why did the selection committee take a U turn on Shami who was told that he would not be considered for the shorter format. The reason it is learnt has been the reccurrence of the back injury to Jasprit Bumrah. Harshal Patel too is troubled with a rib injury. With only Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the experienced pacer, the selectors feel the need of Shami in the shorter format.

Shami last played a T20 for India in the T20 World Cup in UAE. Since then, he has been overlooked. The team management has preferred trying emerging pacers like Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan. Moreover, Shami understands the conditions better Down Under than anybody in the current India squad apart from Bumrah. He could be a great asset for the team. The selectors though will take a final call on Shami at a later stage.

The major concerns at this stage for the selectors and team management is Bumrah’s recurrence of his back injury as he is running against time. The pacer has exactly two months to be at 100% but the last time he had a back injury, he had to spend five months on the sidelines. While Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are two options, India will need an experienced seamer in Australia. Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan are all relatively inexperienced in international cricket and in Australia. That is the reason, Mohammed Shami could be recalled.

Shami has been ignored despite a fine show in IPL 2022 for champions Gujarat Titans. He took 20 wickets from 16 matches in the season.